San Benito planners say district’s Best Road parcel is consistent with county plan; ask for EIR, zoning overlay

The San Benito County Planning Commission on Tuesday concluded that a 69.25‑acre parcel owned by the San Benito High School District is not inconsistent with the county general plan and directed staff to prepare a formal response recommending further environmental review and a public‑quasi‑public (PQP) overlay.

Bridal Goodspeed, principal planner for San Benito County, told commissioners the parcel — located at Best Road near State Highway 25 and purchased by the district in 1997 — carries a general plan designation of “residential mix” and a rural zoning designation. Goodspeed said state law can make local zoning inapplicable to school uses in some cases, but that the county should still provide a written report and recommendations to the district within 30 days of receiving the notice of the district’s intent to consider the site.

The recommendation matters because the district notified the county on Aug. 20, 2025, that it is considering the property as a future high school site. The commission’s written comments will become part of the record the district uses when it evaluates whether and how to proceed.

Sean Tenenbaum,…